Julian Assange has been indicted by the Justice Department under the Espionage Act. Some think free speech is *not* an adequate defense. CNN Analyst and former FBI Special Agent @AshaRangappa_ tells us more.

Trump seems to be framing his new investigation as disproving the "Russia hoax"--now mentioning investigating UK, Australia, Ukraine efforts to reveal the Russian spy initiative. He is on the offensive for Putin, clearing the way for 2020 abuses.

“The dossier did not form the basis for FISA or for anything else that the Bureau did… It’s the president’s singular focus on the dossier as part of the litany of the wrongs that have been done to him that keeps this in his focus” - @JoyceWhiteVance w/ @NicolleDWallace

It’s very unusual for a non-Intelligence Community (IC) officer to be given absolute declassification authority over the IC. This extraordinary delegation of authority, and the reaction it has provoked, show how far we have moved from historical norms. 1/5

New from me: Trump’s declassification order has set up a showdown between DOJ and the intelligence community that could trigger resignations and threaten the CIA’s ability to conduct its core business — managing secret intelligence and sources.

Our partners provided intel that led to the investigation and contributed to it throughout its duration.
Would you share intelligence with us based on the very real likelihood that your sources and methods could be exposed by @realDonaldTrump PI AG Barr?

This is not a hypothetical. Before the Austrian government fell a few days ago, there were reports that other European countries were limiting intelligence cooperation with Austria because of concerns about the government's affinity for Russia. Link below.

Trump’s retweet of a doctored video making it look like Pelosi is slurring her words is so far beneath contempt that words fail me. That his cheap trick might actually fool tens of millions of people is staggering. Nobody so lacking in character belongs in public office.

Remember that the characterization of HRC as being “sick” and “weak” during the campaign was a Russian disinformation talking point which Trump gleefully parroted at every opportunity. He has no qualms about spreading disinformation, no matter the source.

This does not read to me like a supportive statement from Coats at all. The intelligence committees should seek to have Coats and Haspel answer whether anyone in their agencies was consulted or raised objections to this plan to the White House.

Make no mistake: If Barr discloses the identities of CIA and CI sources providing information on Russia he is disabling our intelligence capacities *to Russia’s advantage*. It puts sources providing intelligence in danger and cripples the ICs ability to recruit new sources 1/

An attorney for Navy SEAL chief Edward "Eddie" Gallagher also represents the Trump Organization just days after reports surfaced indicating the President is considering pardoning Gallagher of charges that could constitute war crimes.

A sign of Trump’s imperial view of the presidency buried in yesterday’s memo giving Barr declassification authority: the memo empowers the AG not only to declassify but also to “direct the declassification.” That means the AG can order around the DNI, CIA Director, & more. (1/2)

Trump has declared all out war on Democracy. Using classified intelligence to destroy his political opponents is Autocracy pure and simple. We are slipping into a dark time in our nation’s history. We must fight hard for our better angels to survive.

Make no mistake: If Barr discloses the identities of CIA and CI sources providing information on Russia he is disabling our intelligence capacities *to Russia’s advantage*. It puts sources providing intelligence in danger and cripples the ICs ability to recruit new sources 1/

What should scare every American is the silence from the GOP, the deafening silence from the public servants we elected to keep our nation safe. Remember this silence in 2020. They are not patriots they're partisan hacks who care more about their agenda then our national security

Barr wants to know more about the CIA’s informants in Russia and what they passed along about the 2016 interference. Sources are among the CIA’s most closely held secrets https://nyti.ms/2Evdjn5

Barr's malfeasance undermines our national security & his inexcusable actions will debilitate CIA's ability to do their job. When sources disappear so will the vital intelligence they provide...intelligence that keeps our nation safe. This damage will be felt for decades to come.

I find it interesting that both Barr and Trump don’t know how The Russia investigation began. You would think that being POTUS & AG they would have an inkling. We know POTUS is a subject of the investigation. Maybe Barr is too.

The genesis of the Russia investigation is laid out in black and white on footnote 465 of Volume I (page 89) of the Mueller Report.